It was such a busy weekend and I have lots to share but today's post is a hugs GOTCHA!
Oops! I hope I didn't scare anyone!
Nah...this isn't THAT sort of gotcha. No joke on you dear friends, nor on anyone!
This is the day we celebrate our daughter's "Gotcha Day"!
5 years ago today Grace came into our lives to stay.
The 1st photo is the one that accompanied our referral from China. We were already in love with her, without ever seeing her face, but the second I saw this, I burst into tears. I KNEW her face. I KNEW this child. She was my daughter, the one I had waited for for so long. And yes. I had felt the very same way about our Daniel. It is not easily explained but they were each OURS before they were placed in our care.
This photo was the first one we took in China. Her caretakers had just arrived with her, at our hotel in China. She was already in tears. She was exhausted and frightened to death. Can you imagine what a scary moment this was for her? She spoke no English, in fact, she had never seen a Caucasian person!
We tried everything to elicit even a tiny smile. Presents, silly behavior, candy, fruit, you name it. It would be days before we saw the first glimmer of a grin.
Flash forward 5 years and look at her now. That sought after smile almost
never leaves her face. She is feisty and exuberant and in love with life.
Grace with her adored (and adoring) big brother Daniel.
With Daddy on the beach at the Gulf Shores.
Two *best friends forever* at The Jonas Brothers concert
Grace the cheerleader at this past week's game.
Last weekend's big cheer event...with her beautiful coach.
Her transformation from frightened little girl into a fun loving pre-teen has
been a joy to watch, to experience.
But it is she who transformed us. We are now a family of four. We are complete.
My heart never truly rested until the day she came into our lives. With her arrival
we became whole.
Love and Hugs,
Susie Q
Oh, what a happy anniversary to be celebrating! Congratulations to you all!
ReplyDeleteYou have cleared up a mystery for me... Daniel is her brother! Silly me!
ReplyDeleteI loved your photos, it was fun to be a part of your whole story. I am so in love with the cheerleader thing... I was a cheerleader, too and the uniform makes me want to do it all over again!
That little doll must have been scared to death to come to a new country but she is sooooo fortunate to be here and have you 2 as parents! Happy gotcha day, sugar.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Connie
You are all so blessed to have one another. What a great day to celebrate!!!
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful story, a real life story...I could have cried for all that Grace has become and will be under you and your family's guidance and love. What a treasure she is!!
ReplyDeleteI thank you for this big 'ol lump in my throat!! ;-)
xoxo
Janie
Love 'gotcha' day! Around here, we just call it adoption day; but we always make it special! Happy Fall. Sally
ReplyDeleteHappy Gotcha Day! Grace is such a beauty and I'm glad you all 'got' each other. Four peas in a pod and loving life. :) Thanks for sharing this special anniversary with us. xxoo
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing transformation! Did you bribe Daniel to have his photo taken? Or did he do it for his little sis? I'm sure Grace can get him to do just about anything. Hope you and Bill are well. Happy Gotcha Day to Grace!
ReplyDeleteAhg...those darn thingys are just a rolling from my eyes! Happy Gotcha day my dear friend!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and your beautiful girl!
Love,
M~
In tears I am so happy your dreams were realized you are blessed with a wonderful family.
ReplyDeleteAs I said on FB...surely a match made in heaven. She is beautiful. And you are, too. What a wonderful family. Love her beautiful long pre-teen hair, but her pixie is adorable, too.
ReplyDeleteOh your Grace is so beautiful -- and her smile just sings! What a wonderful post... and how lucky you are, all of you, to have found one another. A beautiful, blessed family. Happy Gotcha Day!
ReplyDeleteCass
Good for Grace; good for you!
ReplyDeleteDear Sue,
ReplyDeleteWe also have a very special person within our family that came from within his Mommy's heart, not under it.
Many would say Grace & Daniel are the lucky ones, but I think different. :)
Cassie
What a sweet and loving family you have. Your children are blessed and you as well as their parents.
ReplyDeleteenjoy your day,
Elizabeth
Sue, this is the most amazing story about what love can do. Grace is beautiful, Daniel is so handsome and you and your hubbie have hearts of gold.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya!
Penny
Oh, Susie, how wonderful! Your post is bringing tears to my tiny eyes! Grace is adorable and the love you have for her just oozes out right here in Blogland.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
What a wonderful thing to be celebrating!! She is growing up to be a beautiful young lady..from that adorable little girl....My favorite is Grace the Cheerleader...she is a doll and I can imagine how much joy she has brought into your life.....give her a bg hug from me......Sue
ReplyDeleteNow that's the kind of "gotcha" I love:-) Oh, Sue, what a blessing Grace is to you and vice versa!! I don't even want to think of what would have happened to her if you & Bill hadn't come into her life...one can tell how happy and well adjusted she is now to have such a loving family. xoxo
ReplyDeleteGrace is a doll:)What a lucky family and child to unite:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story and family you have Susie! You are all truly blessed ♥
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! You warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes! Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. I loved seeing the pictures of her. You have a lovely family.
ReplyDeleteWow only five years!! She looks like she's been in your life a lot longer than that.... This makes we want to burst into tears!!!!
ReplyDelete